Casting for CBS’ upcoming Supergirl drama is currently underway, thanks to Arrow and The Flash casting director David Rapaport. Last night, we learned some character details for the titular Last Daughter of Krypton herself, along with her newly-created foster sister, and now we have information on four supporting characters that will act as series regulars.
Yesterday’s details showed that the series would deviate greatly from the comic books, giving Kara an all-new origin story and a presumably lonely existence without so much as a mention of her cousin, Superman. As it turns out, that won’t stop the show from using some Superman staple characters, though they too will likely differ from their comic book counterparts.
First on the list is Cat Grant, who was introduced in the late 1980s as a love interest who caused a bit of trouble for Superman and Lois Lane. She was a reporter for the Daily Planet, but is described as “J.Lo by way of Anna Wintour” and “the founder of CatCo, a media conglomerate that Cat built from the ground up.” The show is seeking women in their 40s for the role and Kara will act as her personal assistant.
One of the biggest surprises on this new list is none other than Jimmy Olsen. Touted in the comics as “Superman’s Pal,” Jimmy is a pretty iconic member of the Superman mythos, and is known for his work as a Daily Planet photographer. That will change as well, as he’s now employed by CatCo and is described as a “salt-of-the-earth” alpha male who is “smart, worldly and (duh) attractive.” I doubt the words “alpha male” have ever been applied to Jimmy in the past. He’ll apparently develop a “huge” crush on Kara, and likely serve as the show’s biggest male love interest.
Jimmy won’t be the only one who fancies Kara, as Winslow “Wynn” Schott, who comic book readers will recognize as the supervillain Toyman, works at CatCo as well and “carries a torch” for his super-powered next door neighbor. He’ll be a “twentysomething tech whiz” to “toils for Catco as a programmer, unaware of his own (toying?) potential.”
Last on the list is Hank Henshaw, better known for his more diabolical moniker, Cyborg Superman. He debuted in the comics after Superman’s death in the 90s, and is now primarily used as a villain for the Green Lantern Corps. In the show, he’ll be an upstart CIA agent “obsessed with intergalactic intel.” He’s in his 40s and lords over the Department of Extra-Normal Operations. As such, he becomes quite alarmed when Supergirl shows up and is worried that her otherworldly abilities will pose a threat to mankind.
Tell us, what do you make of these Supergirl character details? Would you like to see the likes of Jimmy Olsen, Cyborg Superman, Toyman and Cat Grant on the show? Let us know in the comments below.
